Grain bin



Dec. 26, 1944. R, w. MCLAUGHLIN GRAIN BIN Filed Jan. 28-, 1943 4Sheets-Sheet l 1944- V R. w. MCLAUGHLJN, JR 2,365,891

GRAIN BIN Filed Jan. 28, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec.,26, 1944.

R. w. MCLAUGHLIN, JR 2,365,891

GRAIN BIN Filed Jan. 28, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1944- R. w. MCLAUGHLIN,JR 2,365,891

GRAIN BIN Filed Jan. 28, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 III Patented Dec. 26,1944- GRAIN BIN Robert W. McLaughlin, Jr., Bedford Village, N. Y.,assignor to Americanflouses, 'Inc., New York, N. 'Y.,a corporation ofDelaware Application January 28, 1943, Serial .No. 473,826 7 Claims.(01. err-1.2)

This invention relates to an improved grain bin.

An object of the invention .is to provideagrain bin of the characterdescribed which is formed essentially of prefabricated structuralelements and which maybe readily and cheaply assembled at the buildingsite.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a grain bin formed ofprefabricated wooden structural elements which is substantially air-,tight, which employs :a "minimum of structural material, which issturdil built, and which is adapted to withstand the outward pressure ofthe binned :grain.

Still other objects of theinvention are to provide a grain bin of thecharacter described in -which the outward thrust of the stored grain iswithstood by "a multiplicity of horizontal ties adapted to so interlockwith the vertical weightsupporting structural elements of the 'bin thatthe gripping or interlocking action between the ties and studs isincreased proportionately to the increase of the outward pressure ofstored grain; to provide wall closure elements in combination with saidties and studs of such a character as to 'provide a'substantiallyair-tight bin wall and to provide means for sealing the edges of thesaid wall closure elements against the weather.

Other objects of the invention will 'in part be obvious :and will "inpart appear hereinafter.

"The invention accordingly comprises a product possessing thefeature's,properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified inthe product hereinafter described, and'the scope of the applicationofwhich will be indicated in theclaims.

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference should be had tothe "following detailed description of one embodiment thereof, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure 1 "representsa view in vertical "section,

along the line I--l of :Fig. 2, of :a 'grain bin embodying 'a preferred.form of the invention;

Fig. .2 is ;a view in plan of the bin shown in Fig. 1, the upper :halfofkFig. 2 "representing a view takensubstantially 'below the roof of thebin, and the lower half of Fig. 2 representing a view-takenat the top ofthe roof rafters of the. bin;

Fig. '3 represents a plan view of the rafter ring employed in the roofconstruction;

Fig. 4 is a view in section along of Fig. 3; l i

Fig. 5 isa view, partially in lan and partially the line 4 4 inhorizontal section, of a detail of the wall construction of the deviceshown in Figs. 1 and 2;

'Fig. 6 is a detailed view in vertical section of the roof and upperwall construction of the bin;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view in vertical section of the bottom of the binwall;

Fig. 8 is an isometric view of a typical joint between a vertical studelement, wall closure element and horizontal tie elements employed inthe preferred bin structure; and

. Fig. 9 .is' a view in horizontal section of the joint shown in Fig.-8.

The grain bin of the present invention is a prefabricated structure, thestructuralunits of which maybe manufactured and, if desired, partiallyassembled at the factory, shipped in knockdown condition to the .site atwhich the is to .be erected, and there erected readily and rapidlyunskilled labor if necessary. The structure of the present invention isessentially a wooden structure and has been designed to employ a minimumof metallic fastening elements, such as ties, straps, nails, etc., aswell as a minimum .of' metallic structural elements,

such as studs, rafters, etc., in order to meet present-day requirementsfor the conservation of metals. It will be understood that the,following description, whiledirected primarily to a structure formed.essentially of wooden elements only, is to be understood as applicableto a structure which may be modified if and when it should be, provedadvisable ,so to do, by the substitution of light, strong metallicelements for the wooden elements disclosed.

The: grain .bin of the .present invention is substantially airtight. Ithas been designed to withstand .the outward thrust exerted by the grainwithin a filled bin. Its structure is such that as the outward thrust ofthe binned grain increases, the thrust-resisting elements, which areshown and .describedas horizontal ties, are

caused to interlockmore and more firmly with the vertical stud elementswith which they are in engagement, so that no tendency for slippage orother failure of the structural parts of the bin with respect to :oneanother arises.

The preferred "material for use in the formation of the wall closureelements of the bin is plywood and the structure of the preferredembodiment of the invention is such that the plywoodwall elements are soassociated with the vertical studs that the latter'furnish protectionagainst the weather for the otherwise exposed edges "of the wall panelelements.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the bin isillustrated as formed .with twelve fiat side panels so that atwelvesided structure is produced It is, of course, to be understoodthat such a bin shape is not essential to the invention, although it isa preferred form.

The bin' shown in the drawingscomprises vertical stud elements I8, whichare equally spaced and supported on any suitable foundation. Thefoundation is not shown in the drawings for the sake of clarity. ,It maycomprise, for example, either a platform of wood or an area of tampedearth or a concrete foundation, If the bin is built directly uponearth'its base is preferably surrounded by concrete blocks.

adjacent ties overlap with the stud elements by using preferably a hardwood peg 22, which is clearly shown in Fig. 5.

For most of the interlocking joints between the horizontal ties and thestud elements, the tie ends are left squared as shown, for example.

. in Figs. 8 and 9. However, those horizontal ties Wall closure elementsl2 are provided between the vertical stud elements and these wallclosure elements may preferably take the form of panels of equal heightand equal width. It has already been mentioned that a preferred materialfor use as the wall closure elements is plywood, and plywood,one-quarter inch thick, has been found adequate with a bin of such asize that the twelve panel elements are each four feet in width andeight feet in height. As shown most clearly in Figs. 5, 8 and 9, thepanel elements are positioned in notches or grooves l4, formed toreceive them by rabbeting studs l0. With such a construction, the studsact not only to position and hold the wall panel elements but they actalso to protect the ends of the plywood panels from the weather. It isto be understood that the panel elements I 2 are all alike and that anymay be substituted for any other in the structure and that the same istrue of the stud elements I 0.

Horizontal locking tie elements or girts l6 are provided for the purposeof holding th studs and wall panels in interlocked position and toreceive the outward thrust of the binned grain. These horizontal ties,as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, are positioned at spaced intervals fromthe base to the top of the bin wall on the outer surface of the wall.Their inner edges are in engagement with outer surfaces of the wallpanel elements l2 and the ties are notched near their ends as, forexample, at l8, to receive the vertical studs. The interlocked structureof the ties and studs is perhaps shown most clearly in the isometricdrawing, Fig. 8, and, as will be apparent from that drawing, the studsmay be notched, preferably rather shallowly, to insure a proper positionof the tie elements vertically along the studs.

Although the ties are shown in Fig. 1 as regularly spaced along thevertical walls of the bin, it is to be understood that such anarrangement may not be preferred and that if desired the ties may becloser spaced adjacent the bottom or lower portion of the bin wall so asto compensate for the added outward thrust of the stored grain at thisportion of the structure. Where the ties are interlocked with thevertical studs they may b lightly nailed to the studs. primarily forthe, purpose of assuring proper alignment. This is not, however,essential, especially if th ties are formed of plywood so that there islittle or no tendency for them to split where they are grooved tointerlock with the studs as a result of the shearing force exerted bythe outward thrust of the binned grain. If the ties are not formed ofplywood, but are constructed of regular planks or the like, it has beenfound desirable to key them together where which are immediatelyadjacent the upper edge of the wall have their ends bevelled as at 24,in Fig. 5, to conform with the adjacent overlying tie edge. Thismodification makes possible a more convenient roof assembly.

Preferably, one horizontal series of ties I6 is positioned immediatelyadjacent the upper edge of the bin wall toprovide a partial support forthe roof structure of the bin. This will be clearly apparent from Fig. 1and Fig. 6. With reference to Fig. 6 particularly, there is disclosed adetail of the structure wherein the tie, illustrated as at I6, is one ofthe underlying ties of the group positioned adjacent the upper edge ofthe wall. Under these circumstances the tie is spaced from the upperwall edge a distance equal to the thickness of the ties which haveoverlain it at the studs with which it is interlocked. The space betweenthe underlying tie l8 and the upper edge of the wall panel element l2adjacent thereto is, under these conditions, closed by employing suitablblocking 26. This blocking cooperates with the overlying adjacent tieelements to provide a substantially smooth platform interlocked with thevertical studs I0, for the reception of the outer nds of the roofrafters.

The roof structure is shown most clearly in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. Itcomprises a central rafter ring 30, which is shown in detail in Figs. 3

and 4. This ring is shown as comprising two sections, 32 and 34, spacedby the members 36. The outer edge of the sections 32 and 34 isessentially circular as is clearly apparent from Fig. 3, but is notchedas at 38, to receive the inner ends of the rafters 48. These alignmentnotches 38, in the rafter ring 30, make possible a rigid and accurateassembly of the roof structure. The outer edges of the rafters, as shownmost clearly in Fig. 1, rest, and are fixed to either the vertical studelements, as at 42, or the uppermost of the horizontal locking tie l6,or the blocking elements 26, as at 44. The roofing itself may comprisesuitable sheathing grade plywood 46, in Fig. 6, over which there may belaid a suitable roofing felt 48, for example. The spaces between theouter ends of adjacent rafters may be closed by any suitable means, forexample, the sam grade of plywood 50, in Fig. 6, and this may in turn becovered by an extension of the roofing felt 48, as shown.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, twenty-four rafters 48 areprovided, i. e. two rafters for each stud. As shown clearly in Fig. 2,the rafters extend radially from the rafter ring 30, alternate raftersextending to, and resting upon, the studs, and the remaining rafters,slightly shorter in length, extending to the midpoints of the verticalwall closure elements. This rafter ring and radially extending rafterconstruction gives a roof which is easily and rapidly assembled andwhich is rigid and durable.

Detail of the base of the wall on th preferred bin is shown in Fig. 7,where the Wall closure panel I2 is shown as supported at its base by aheavy sill 52.

Doors may be readily provided in any selected wall panel element. Thedoors (not shown) may comprise sliding panels, each, for example,subzgsccicer panel and of a height equal to the distance be tweenadjacent: series of horizontal: ties: I16 Such sliding, panels; whichmaybe out from the: wall closure element its'elf, may be mounted:between adliacent series of ties in: a U-shaped molding; to slide overone another and thus provide suitableclosure. elements shouldpreferablybe placed behind a such: adoor and when the door: is: openedby sliding back a panel the grain is permitted to out by forcingasid'eoneof these grain-holding elements. Asany suitable d'oor'structure may be:

employed, and as the type described is not be lieved to be essential tothe invention, it i's'not shown in the drawings I Supplementalgraimhclding:

It will be readily apparent that the erection of the grain binillustrated in the drawings may be quickly accomplished. The verticalstuds are interchangeable: The wall closure panels are interchangeable.'I'he horizontat tie elements; with the exceptionofthe bevelledelement's forming the" uppermost ring, are interchangeable. In theprecise embodiment of the invention shown'in the drawings, half of therafters are interchangeable with one another, and theremaining half ofthe rafters are interchangeable. With such structural elements, evenunskilled labor can rapidly erect' the grain bin by following simpleinstructions. With interlocking horizontal ties and vertical studs ofthe character described, it is practically impossible to erectimproperly the structure of the invention. It will be apparent,moreover, that the grain bin may be quickly and readily taken down,shipped in compact form to a new site, and re-erected, without loss ofstructural elements. The type of interlocking shown and described,between the horizontal tie elements and the vertical studs coupled withthe structural arrangement of wall panel elements, studs and ties,insures a tighter and closer interlock between the structural elementsof the bin as the bin is filled with grain, and the outward thrustthereof against the wall panel elements increases. Moreover, thestructure of the present invention utilizesthe outward grain thrust toinsure a more satisfactory airtight joint between the vertical studs andthewall panel elements.

Thematerials employed in the bin structure i are relatively light inweight, of low cost and cheap to manufacture. The structure meets awidespread and insistent demand for cheap but satisfactory grain storagefacilities.

While th device of the present invention is referred to herein and inthe claims as a grain bin, it is to be understood that the structure maybe used for other storage purposes, for example, as a silo, or for thestorage of liquids, or even for such non-storage purposes as, forexample, a chicken house. All such uses are to be deemed as fallingwithin the scope of the claims, which shall be understood as coveringthe claimed structure, however used. I

Since certain changes may be made in the above construction anddifferent embodiments of the invention could be made without departingfrom the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in theabove description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the follow ing claims are intended tocover all the generic and specific features of the invention hereindeall statements: of the scope ofi the; inventionlwhiclr, as a:- matterof language, might be said to: fall therebetweem What-isclaimed is:

h- 5.: grain bin comprising in combination, a: multiplicity ofi stud.elements, wall-closure panels: positioned between and engagement withsaid. studs, ad j'acent ones of" said panel's being angul'arlypositioned: respect to one another, a

' multiplicity of substantially horizontal ties, ea'clr tie beingpositioned toengagethe outer surface of a paneland being notched in: itspanel engaging edge tic-interlock with a plurality of ad'- jacent studs,said ties beingpositi'oned' againstthe outerfaces of said studs and saidpanels so as to resist, combination with said studsand panels, theoutward thrust of grain within said bin; and a: roof for said bin.

2; A grain bin comprising, combination, a multiplicity of stud elements;wall-closure pan= els positioned between and in engagement with saidstuds, said studs being rabbeted' to receivethe edges of said panels,adjacent ones of said: panels being angularly positioned with respect toone another, a multiplicity of substantially horizontal ties, each tiebeing positioned to engage the outer surface of a panel and beingnotched in its panel engaging edge to interlock with a plurality ofadjacent studs, said ties bein positioned against the outer faces ofsaid studs and said panels so as to resist, in combination with saidstuds and panels, the outward thrust of grain within said bin, and aroof for said bin.

3. A grain bin comprising, in combination, a multiplicity ofsubstantially identical stud elements, substantially identicalwall-closure panels positioned between and in engagement with saidstuds, adjacent ones of said panels being angularly positioned withrespect to one another, a multiplicity of substantially identicalhorizontal ties, each tie being positioned to engage the outer surfaceof a panel and being notched in its panel engaging edge to interlockwith a plurality of adjacent studs, said ties being positioned againstthe outer faces of said studs and said panels so as to resist, incombination with said studs and panels, the outward thrust of grainwithin said bin, and a roof for said bin.

4. A grain bin comprising, in combination, a multiplicity of studelements, wall-closure panels positioned between and in engagement withsaid studs, adjacent ones of said panels being angularly positioned withrespect to' one another, a

multiplicity of substantially horizontal ties, each tie being positionedto engage the outer surface of a panel and being notched in its panelengaging edge to interlock with a plurality of adjacent studs, said tiesbeing positioned against the outer faces of said studs and said panelsso as to resist, in combination with said studs and panels, the outwardthrust of grain within said bin and being so positioned as to provide aplurality of spaced, substantially parallel series of closely adjacentoverlying ties extending around the outer face of said bin, and a rooffor said bin.

5. A grain bin comprising, in combination, a multiplicity of studelements, wall-closure panels positioned between and in engagement withsaid jacent studs, said ties being positioned against the outer faces ofsaid studs and said panels so as to resist, in combination with saidstuds and panels, the outward thrust of grain within said bin and beingso positioned as to provide a plurality of spaced, substantiallyparallel series of closely adjacent overlying ties extending around theouter face of said bin, adjacent ties in each series being fastenedtogether, and a roof for said bin.

6. A grain bin comprising, in combination, a multiplicity of studelements, wall-closure panels positioned between and in engagement withsaid studs, adjacent ones of said panels being angularly positioned withrespect to one another, a multiplicity of substantially horizontal ties,each tie being positioned to engage the outer surface of a panel andbeing notched in its panel engaging edge to interlock with a pluralityof adjacent studs, said ties being positioned against the outer faces ofsaid studs and said panels so as to resist, in combination with saidstuds and panels, the outward thrust of grain within said bin, saidpanels and ties being formed of plywood, and a roof for said bin.

'7. A grain bin comprising, in combination, a multiplicity of studelements, wall-closure panels positioned between and in engagement withsaid studs, adjacent ones of said panels being angularly positioned withrespect to one another, a multiplicity of substantially horizontal ties,each tie being positioned to engage the outer surface of a panel andbeing notched in its panel enga ing edge to interlock with a pluralityof adjacent studs, said ties being positioned against the outer faces ofsaid studs and said panels so as to resist, in combination with saidstuds and panels, the outward thrust of grain within said bin and beingso positioned as to provide a plurality of spaced, substantiallyparalle1 series of closely adjacent overlying ties extending around theouter face of said bin, adjacent ties in each series being fastenedtoegther, and a roof for said bin, the uppermost series of said tiesserv'-' ing to support a portion at least of said roof.

ROBERT W. McLAUGHLIN, J R.

